Title: Bobby Sands, Belfast May 1981
Photographer(s): Yan Morvan
Writer(s): Bobby Sands, Yan Morvan, Sorj Chalandon
Designer(s): Loïc Vincent
Publisher(s): André Frère Éditions, Marseille, French
Year: 2018
Print run:
Language(s): English, French
Pages: 236
Size: 24 x 30 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Edition:
Print: Mas, Instanbul, Turks
Nation(s) and year(s) of Protest: North Ireland, 1981
ISBN: 979-1092265712
Bobby Sands died on 5 May 1981 at 1:17am.
Bobby Sands was arrested and sentenced to 14 years in prison for possession of firearms. On 1 March 1981, he began a hunger strike followed by nine other political prisoners from the IRA (Irish Republican Army) and the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army).
Their demands: to obtain the status of political prisoners to which they are entitled. They will all die, the last ones in almost general indifference.
These episodes, which could evoke an "ancient history", are unfortunately very close to the present. Catalonia, today, is demanding its independence like other states and citizens of Europe, tired of seeing their identity diluted by "globalization".
The conflict between Catholics and Protestants, the supporters of independence and of remaining in the crown, is reminiscent of the past history of Great Britain and of the current divide between supporters and opponents of Brexit. Northern Ireland, the poorest land in Europe, which provided the contingents of workers for the first British industrial revolution and the uprooted people who built America in the 19th century, is a reminder of the migrant crisis that has taken root in our societies.
One could also evoke the North-South divide, poor Catholics from the South versus rich Protestants from the North, this time in reverse. Conclude with the immense respect inspired by this people of the disinherited and unsubmissive, united to the point of sacrificing their children to write this page of eternity through suffering.